Towing and Mobility System

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for hauling which renders the user&#39;s hands free and eliminates fatigue. The instant apparatus additionally affords the user the ability to couple personal effects in a reduced profile towage system. The instant apparatus

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application takes priority from and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/091,047 filed on Dec. 12, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hauling and travel apparatuses and more specifically to a hands free apparatus for hauling or pulling effects such as wheeled luggage, golf carts, shopping carts, wagon loads and such on a mobile platform, via a harness worn across the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, the only apparatuses that exist for the hauling and pulling of personal effects requires the person to use at least one hand—such as wheeled luggage, golf carts, shopping carts, wagon loads or other effects on a mobile platform. This restriction eliminates a person's ability to use two hands while in motion.

Two-wheeled bags are still in existence and are still enormously convenient, particularly as airports continue to grow in size and consequently the trip from the curb to the gate seems interminable. But from a physiological perspective, particularly for the back pain sufferer, such bags are far from perfect. Yes, you can grab the telescoping handle and pull the bag along behind you, but depending on your height, that handle might be too short for comfort. Towing the bag means twisting your spine, with one shoulder thrust forward and the other dragged back by the bag, and putting a lot of stress on the sacroiliac joint (where your pelvis, the base of your spine, and hip girdle come together).

If a user travels continuously, thus dragging a bag on a regular basis—especially with a heavy bag—and you might develop a syndrome colloquially deemed “suitcase elbow,” a condition called epicondylitis, characterized by pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm due to tendon damage. Additionally, jutting of the shoulder often balances the load with the help of an often equally heavy briefcase or tote, making the position even more ungainly. Between these imprudent ergonomics and the discomfort of the airplane seat, anyone with a bad back runs the risk of developing pain that could potentially ruin a holiday or a business trip. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were nearly 60,000 luggage-related injuries dire enough to necessitate medical assistance in 2011 alone.

For example with current wheeled luggage or moving apparatuses, a person must dedicate one arm to pulling their wheeled luggage as the person walks. This configuration eliminates the individual's capability to utilize both hands, and therefore restricting a user's ability to manipulate one object and leading to fatigue of the arm over time and distance from the weight of the load being pulled. This fatigue necessitates periodic switching of hands and sometimes requires stopping to move an object, i.e. a phone or cup of coffee, from one hand to the other.

The evolution of getting from a home to a flight with numerous sizable baggage pieces illustrates the encumbrances a person faces. This evolution normally includes going through the airport, getting out of the car or taxi at the airport, going up and down stairs and escalators, going through security, walking to the gate, boarding the plane, removing and stowing the luggage in the overhead compartment. Throughout each portion of the evolution, a person is constrained to one hand free unless he stops to use both hands. All of this hassle can be challenging, especially if one is in a rushed situation. All the while, one is trying to make a boarding deadline, one has to handle calls, juggle boarding passes and ID/passport, and manage their luggage.

In many cases, travelers need to walk significant distances, such as if they need to change gates or terminals to get to a connecting flight. Furthermore, may people wish to stop in a store or food shop to buy goods or a meal or drink and during such activities are restricted to one hand free and the continuing need to stop and switch arms and perhaps not be able to shop for desired items due to needing one hand dedicated to pulling the wheeled luggage.

And, luggage related injuries could increase the development of shoulder and neck pain or aggravate an existing problem. Traditional roller bags may increase stress on the rotator cuff, especially if the user tends to shrug or tense the shoulders upon tiring. If you are pulling over long distances you are increasing the load to neck muscles and joints as well.

Moreover, in the workday scenario, a one-hand restriction example is a person picking products to fill orders in a warehouse and needing to move the receptacle down the line while they are pulling the load and needing to stop to have both hands free in order to document activities or goods or orders or use the phone.

Another example of a one-hand restriction is shopping carts: someone who lives in the city walking to and from shopping, onto and off of public transportation, pulling the cart with one hand and switching hands periodically, while juggling other items.

Lastly, there is an example regarding military one-hand restriction. A soldier in the field has a pack or backpack carrying supplies on his body. A corpsman needs to pull or carry a gurney in the field and needs to work on the patient and perhaps compress or dress a wound while needing to transport the patient to safety with care. Having, both hands free to treat a patient while transporting a patient could be critical.

To solve the problem of fatigue created through possessing one encumbered hand, the instant system sets forth an apparatus that affords the user hands free operation to execute tasks while moving forward and pulling the wheeled weight in a more evenly distributed fashion, while rendering the wheeled weight in a rearward position relative to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. Therefore, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a hands free apparatus for hauling or pulling effects such as wheeled luggage, golf carts, shopping carts, wagon loads or other effects on a mobile platform.

It is a further object of the instant system for the apparatus to have three key components: a leather harness, a leather tether, and a clasp.

It is a further object of the instant system for the harness or strap to be worn as a sash over the shoulder and across the chest diagonally.

It is a further object of the instant system for the harness or strap to be adjustable to fit torsos of all sizes, through an adjustment mechanism.

It is a further object of the instant system for the harness to be attached to a tether with a clasp, which affixes to the object to be towed.

It is a further object of the instant system for the clasp to be either temporarily attached to, or to be a built in feature of, the towed object.

It is a further object of the instant system to be constructed of various materials that are fitting with the application, such as for business dress, or work or warehouse or military applications.

It is a further object of the instant system, to utilize a tether mechanism, extending from a backpack, or other such containment mechanism, with a direct connection to a luggage handle to pull the load. The backpack would act as the harness.

In one embodiment, the instant system may comprise a harness including a tether and clasp that connects to the hauled object. The harness may be reeved in such a manner as to lead over ones torso, allowing both of the user's hands to be free while pulling his/her effects.

It is a further object of the instant system for the apparatus to be versatile in its design to include the ability to affix products or holders such as for travel documents or mobile phones or a bottle of water.

It is a further object of the instant system to include a spring system if required for certain situations where it can smooth jerking motions such as running while towing the object.

It is a further object of the instant system to have the ability to tow multiple pieces of luggage in a chained manner.

It is a further object of the instant system that the harness or strap allows for comfortable, balanced hauling by distributing the load across the torso.

It is a further object of the instant system for the load to naturally trail behind the user and the user is free to use both hands while effectively pulling the object.

In this respect, it is to be understood that the system is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

These together with other objects of the system, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the system, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the system, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the instant system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a technical drawing of one embodiment of the instant apparatus in operation.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the instant apparatus in operation on a human.

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional front view of one embodiment of the mechanism system in operation on a human.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of an additional embodiment of the hauling mechanism.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan perspective view of an additional embodiment of the hauling mechanism wherein dual attachment mechanisms are utilized in order to allow linking of sets of luggage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be construed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of the steps for producing the system and accompanying apparatus. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

The Luggage Link™ (“LL”) is a new basic—a paradigm shift—a simple technology that facilitates ergonomic and hands-free towing of wheeled objects. It comprises of a sash worn across the torso and attaches to the handle of the wheeled object, resulting in 4 major benefits:

-   -   Hands free. Enables multi tasking—such as traveling with         children, walking in the rain, holding an umbrella as the mobile         phone rings, or simply walking to the gate with a cup of coffee         in one hand while checking email on the phone in the other.     -   More narrow profile. Offers easier navigation through crowds and         tight spaces.     -   Pulled object feels lighter. Since load is distributed across         the torso—about 30″ versus the palm of one's hand, about 4,″         results in less fatigue.     -   Ergonomic design adheres to the principles of joint protection.         Greatly helps people with temporary or chronic mobility issues         and also helps to prevent injuries from pressure on smaller         joints and unbalanced twisted spinal posture. The product allows         people suffering a fracture of upper or lower limbs or suffering         from a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis to maintain         independence and continue to function more effectively.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the instant invention in its entirety. The leather strap/harness 1 is worn diagonally across one's chest and can be adjusted to fit different individuals by use of an adjustment mechanism 2, such as a belt buckle mechanism. The strap/harness 1 is affixed to the tether 3. The strap/harness 1 is worn diagonally across the chest to distribute the weight and the tether 3 is placed behind the user. The tether 3 is then affixed to the strap 4 that is clasped 5 around the personal effect.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the instant invention in use hauling a personal effect. The leather strap/harness 1 is being worn diagonally across the user's chest, leaving both hands free. The tether 3 is placed behind the user and then the strap 4 is placed around the handle of the personal effect and secured with the clasp 5.

The clasp 5 comprises an attachment mechanism that can either be a belt buckle mechanism, a carabiner mechanism, or a quick release mechanism.

In an alternative embodiment, the strap/harness 1 is designed to include the ability to affix products, or retaining systems for products, including but not limited to mobile phones, bottles of beverage and travel documents.

In an alternative embodiment, the mechanism that attached the tether 3 to the clasp 5 contains a spring system if required for certain situations where it can smooth jerking motions such as running while towing the object.

In an alternative embodiment, the instant invention has a series of tethers 3 and clasps 5 so that a single user can tow multiple personal effects in a chain behind them.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of an additional embodiment of the hauling mechanism. Here, an attachment mechanism 10 is affixed to a leather strap/harness 12. Similar to FIG. 1, a leather strap/harness 12 may be adjusted to fit different individuals by use of an adjustment mechanism, such as a belt buckle mechanism, 14. The strap/harness 12 is affixed to a tether 16. The strap/harness 12 is worn diagonally across the chest to distribute the weight and the tether 16 is placed behind the user. The tether 16 is then affixed to the strap 18 that is affixed to an attachment mechanism 10 that may latch to a personal effect.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan perspective view of an additional embodiment of the hauling mechanism wherein dual attachment mechanisms 22, 24 are utilized in order to allow linking of sets of luggage. In this embodiment, an additional apparatus may be connected to allow multiple personal effects 26, 28 to be hauled simultaneously.

Thus, the instant system, set of apparatuses and accompanying methods afford the user hands free capabilities in order to execute tasks with two hands while towing effects on a wheeled or mobile platform enabling greater efficiency and effectiveness of the person. Additionally, the user gains greater comfort, ease, convenience, and reduced fatigue in view of concurrent single-handed pulling of the wheeled effects. The comfort is achieved by the distribution of weight and pressure points of the load across the torso—in effect over a greater area.

Additionally, the instant system conserves valuable time in travel by eliminating the need to continually switch hands to relieve the fatigue and stress on one side of the body as the load travels naturally behind the individual. Moreover, the system renders a reduced profile as the object naturally trails directly behind the person, not being biased to the right or left depending on which hand is pulling the load.

The instant system will have significant presence in including, but not limited to, four (4) markets including medical device, retail, industrial and military activities.

In the Medical Device forum, the system can be utilized to target patient populations span short-term issues to chronic conditions to aging place 1. Recovery phase post-orthopedic surgery or bone fracture 2. Chronic condition management such as arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis 3. Geriatrics independence in performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) 4. Injury prevention such as from rolling luggage syndrome or other repetitive movement issues.

In the retail forum, the system can be utilized for luggage towing for numerous scenarios including travel: pulling wheeled luggage, wheeled cooler Today: sold as an accessory Tomorrow: built into luggage Upgradability: add features such as pockets, Velcro® for phone, other accessories

In the industrial forum, the system can be utilized to increase efficiency and safety for employees pulling loads as employees pulling a wheeled cart down the line now have 2 free hands.

For military applications, the versatility of the system becomes most evident as a myriad of uses are revealed. In one embodiment, the system may assist medical personnel, such as corpsman, in the field in order to haul a gurney. In the past, a corpsman was merely able to either pull a wounded soldier out of harms' way, or use a firearm to protect the wounded and the corpsman simultaneously. With instant system in operation, the corpsman's hands are free to discharge a weapon or even treat the wounded solider while simultaneously pulling the soldier from the fire zone. Moreover, the instant system may be utilized to pull a military grade wagon with a bullet proof bottom, rather than humping a 70 pound (lb) backpack and thus if the soldier comes under fire in the open he can tip wagon over for cover and his hands are unencumbered.

Further discussing the orthopedic aspects of the product, the tow device may also be utilized as a medical device that assists individuals in carrying out activities of daily living (ADL) more easily and ergonomically, allowing independence and promoting safety. It is indicated both for patients recovering from short-term incidents such as bone breaks or various surgeries, and also for individuals dealing with chronic conditions such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure (CHF), or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). It is fitting as an adaptive aid for activities of daily living such as may be recommended for patients by an occupational therapist.

In the orthopedic space, the tow device basically comprises sash that is easily applied with one hand so there is not the need to raise arms overhead. The tow device assists the individual in pulling small or large wheeled loads such as shopping carts, luggage, small wagons, personal oxygen tanks so that the person is hands free. The unique value of the tow device is that it adheres to the principles of joint protection, using the torso as leverage for distributing the load without twisting, or encumbering the hands of the user. Thus, a person who uses a walker or crutches can pull a wheeled grocery cart hands free and in balance with minimum stress on and no twisting of their musculoskeletal structure.

The tow device helps to conserve energy by virtue of its distributing the load ergonomically, eliminating the need to twist one's spine and shoulders and reducing the need to lift heavy objects, which can be both exhausting and also injurious.

The tow device affords greater independence in carrying out light housekeeping duties such as bringing clothing to the laundry or even shopping. The device allows patients to conduct ADL sooner, faster, and ergonomically and fosters independence and faster return to normal and return to work. Short-term indications are for patients recovering from many conditions including the following:

-   -   Surgeries of a wide variety     -   Orthopedic upper body—neck, shoulder, rotator cuff, arm, elbow,         wrist, hand     -   Orthopedic lower body—hips, legs, knees, ankle, foot—where         crutches, cane or walker are needed for mobility     -   Bone breaks to upper or lower extremities where crutches, cane         or walker are needed.

For longer term or chronic indications, the tow device helps individuals manage daily living. The tow device is used for ADL's (activities of daily living) such as housekeeping, laundry, and shopping where toting loads such as laundry or grocery bags is difficult or impossible, the tow device allows the individual to transport the objects across the home or the grocery store parking lot via a carriage or wagon.

Longer term conditions fall into 2 major areas:

-   -   Chronic conditions such as arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis         where pain or other symptoms reduce mobility and range of         motions. Amputees     -   Chronic diseases where an individual has low energy reserves or         shortness of breath, such as heart or lung disease.

Finally, along these lines, a longer term usage, application or embodiment of the tow device involves the frail or elderly who want to maintain independence and living at home and self-care as long as possible. The numerous situations discussed herein can readily be applied to the household requirements of the frail or elderly.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the hulling apparatus in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the system that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the system in detail, it is to be understood that the system is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

These together with other objects of the system, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the system, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the system, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the system. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for hauling comprising: a harness mechanism; a tether mechanism; and a clasp mechanism.
 2. The apparatus for hauling of claim 1, wherein the apparatus orients diagonally across a torso of a user in order to evenly distribute the towing weight.
 3. The apparatus for hauling of claim 1, wherein the harness mechanism comprises an adjustment mechanism.
 4. The apparatus for hauling of claim 1, wherein the harness comprises a material selected from the group consisting of leather, fabric, polypropylene, rubber, canvas, nylon, rip-stop nylon, and high denier nylon.
 5. The apparatus for hauling of claim 4, wherein the harness mechanism comprises a combination of materials selected from the group consisting of leather, fabric, polypropylene, rubber, canvas, nylon, rip-stop nylon, and high denier nylon.
 6. The apparatus for hauling of claim 1, wherein the harness comprises a set of fixtures for retaining equipment.
 7. The apparatus for hauling of claim 1, wherein the harness mechanism is communication with the tether via an attachment mechanism.
 8. The apparatus for hauling of claim 7, wherein the attachment mechanism includes an integrated recoil system to damp extraneous motion interruption.
 9. The apparatus for hauling of claim 8, wherein the integrated recoil system is selected from the group consisting of a spring driven system, a fluid driven system and a torsion driven system.
 10. The apparatus for hauling of claim 6, wherein the tether comprises a leather material.
 11. The apparatus for hauling of claim 6, wherein the tether attaches to the clasp via a strap mechanism.
 12. The apparatus for hauling of claim 11, wherein the clasp is selected from the group consisting of a belt buckle mechanism, a carabiner mechanism, and a quick release mechanism.
 13. The apparatus for hauling of claim 11, wherein the clasp is removably attached to a personal effect.
 14. The apparatus for hauling of claim 11, wherein the clasp is rigidly affixed to a personal effect.
 15. A hands free luggage device comprising a set of luggage pieces comprising: a strap mechanism; a set of clasps; and, a set of tethers.
 16. The hands free luggage device of claim 15, wherein the set of luggage pieces are interlocked juxtaposed to create a single file chain set of luggage pieces via the set of clasps and the set of tethers.
 17. The hands free luggage device of claim 15, wherein the strap mechanism comprises at least one cushioning element. 